MCC opens Region IX play with 3-2 win over Trinidad State

The McCook Community College volleyball team came back from a two-set deficit Friday and handed Trinidad State a 3-2 loss in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center. The Trojans won the first two sets by 25-17 scores before MCC responded to win the next three 26-24, 25-21, 17-15.

"We did some really great things the last three sets but the first two sets we need to learn to jump out on top and not get down on ourselves," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza.

Friday's win marked the start of Region IX play and Kobza believes region teams are going to have to watch out for Trinidad State.

"That's a team that plays with heart. I think they only have nine players and only eight that can actually play, but that's a good team and they did everything really well," said Kobza.

Friday's comeback win was led by sophomore setter Janie Sommer (Maxwell) who paced the MCC offense with 48 assists to go along with four kills and three aces.

"Janie's just a rock, she keeps the team composed and does her job really well and she knows where to put the ball and who to give it to," Kobza said.

McKenna Crews (freshman, Loveland, Colo.) had her best match of the season coming in with eight digs and two service aces.

"McKenna Crews came in and played a phenomenal match, she served tough and picked up a lot of balls. She did exactly what she needed to do," Kobza said.

Kaylee Palmieri (sophomore, Gibbon, Neb.) led MCC with 12 digs.

Thaynara Isabela (freshman, São Paulo, Brazil) was the top attacker with 18 kills on the night to go along with six digs and one service ace. Freshman Victoria Thomas (Houston, Texas) had 11 kills. Mia Pena, (sophomore, Greeley, Colo.) had 10 kills.

"Victoria Thomas is another player who came in and gave us a spark… she was on the right side, she was on the left side. She just came in and played competitive volleyball," Kobza said.

Amerika Jones (sophomore, Honolulu, Hawaii) had eight kills. Makayla Brown (freshman, Colorado Springs) had six kills and an ace. Jordan Jerome (sophomore, Rawlins, Wyo.) had four kills.

MCC improves to 12-7 on the season

Trinidad State falls to 5-10.

On Saturday Region IX foe Otero Junior College begins triangular play with a 1 p.m. against MCC. The Rattlers are 5-15 and play Northeast Community College (Norfolk) at 3 p.m. with MCC taking on Northeast at 5 p.m. The Hawks are 4-13 on the season and lost a three-set match to MCC on Aug. 28.

For more photos from today's match, please visit the MCC Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/MPCCMcCook